Stabilizer and edge support for coil springs



Oct. 28, 1958 M. J. RYMLAND 2,357,603

STABILIZER AND EDGE SUPPORT FOR COIL SPRINGS Filed March 18, 1955 FIG].

INVENTOR MURRA Y J. RYMLA/VD pug/m ATTORNEYS STABILIZER AND EDGE SUPPORTFOR COIL SPRINGS Murray J. Rymland, Baltimore, Md. Application March18,1955, Serial No. 495,309

" 14 Claims. (01. 5-260) This invention relates to spring cushioningassemblies, and more particularly to spring assemblies of the typecontaining a large number of helical coil springs, associated andinterconnected in a predetermined spaced relation to one another.Assemblies of this type are described in my prior Patent No. 2,630,586,granted March 384,874, filed October 8, 1953, now Patent No. 2,791,783,granted May 14, 1957, and the present invention represents a variationand improvement on the structures therein claimed. i

Among the general objects of the present invention, it is contemplatedto provide a spring cushion assembly which is particularly well adaptedto withstand repeated distortions of the edge portions by a locallyapplied com pressive force, such as the weight of a body, and to pro-10, 1953, and in my co-pending application, Serial No. I

vide an assembly of simplified; durable, and inexpensive material fromentering-into;the component springs thereof, and particularly toprevent'such entry through the voids or cleavages defined by theexteriorly facing por-' tions of the outside rows of coil springs.

It is another object ofthis invention to provide aspring cushionassembly in which the edge portions of the assembly, defined by theoutside [rows of coils, are provided with' special means for resistingthe localized stresses which arefrequently' placed upon the edgcsofspring cushion'assemblies in their'normal domestic uses. It is anotherobject of-thisinvention to provide a spring assembly unitadaptedassembly. p

Further objects ofthe invention will be in part obvious and in partpointed out hereinafter.

The invention, and novel features'the reof, may best be made clear from;thefollowingdescription and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary plan view of aspring cusha springs 10constructed'of wire in' the conventional form as illustrated in Figures-1, 2; and 3., .The springs are arranged in rows 12, 14, and files 16,18, and each row of springs is aligned and arranged with an. arcuateportion of the end convolutionrof each spring overlapping acorresponding portion of an adjacent spring-in the same row, whereby onesuch portion becomes an overlying arcuate portion 2%. and the otherbecomes an underlying arcuate portion 22, and a space 24 is providedbetween;

the overlapped portions.

To fix adjacent-rows inv the desired parallel spaced 1 relationship, andto insure that the corresponding coils acent rows are properly arrangedin files 16, 18,

ul tttl a plurality of tie wires 26 extend transversely of the rowsalong the lines of overlap between the coils, that is, along the linesof overlap between the tiles. Each tie wire 26 is provided with aplurality of pairs of spaced-depressic-us 23, each pair of depressionsbeing, separated by an upwardly projectinginsert '30 therebetween, asbest illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5. When positioned in theassembly, each pair of depressions 28 partially embraces theintersecting sections of an overlapping pair of arcuate portions 29, 22,and the intermediate insert 30 projects into the space 24 therebetween.As i will be readily understood-the pairs of depressionsi28 are spacedalong the length of the tie wires 26 to suitably space from each other,adjacent rows 12, 14, of,component.springs,

the structure illustrated in Figure 1 being merely a partial view of thetwo springrows 12, 14, and, therefore, two spring files 16, 18, of theover'allassembly.

In my prior patent referred to, and in my prior application referred to,the overlapping arcuate portions of the adjacent springs are securedtoeach other and to the tie wire insertsin some particularandspecialized manner. I have chosen to illustrate the present inventionas being equipped with' the individual clamp-members 32 described. indetail inmy prior patent, but it should be clearlyv understood that'these elements may be fixed, or joined, together by any other suitablemeans.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1, it will be seen. thattheoutside row 12 of coil springs 10.defines the edge 5, 34 (here shownas a phantom linelpf the complete coil,

' spring assembly. Inasmuch as theedge line is, actually "a line tangentto the end 'convolution' of the outside row, 7 12 of the coil springs, 1,it will beseen that some portions of the edge are open or unsupported;Inasmuch as the endconvo'lutions of the coil springs are generallycircular, vit will. be readily seen that .the end portions of the coilspring give only a limited supportt'o the edge portions of the assembledcoihspring assembly and that there is a deep, roughly triangular,cleavage 35f defined by adjacent end portionsvof the end convolutidns ofthe for semi-automatic and automatic icn assembly'constrncted accordingto the present inven- I Figure 4 is a perspectiveviewof a continuous tiewirev having its end portions formed as a sear spring; and- Figure 5 isa perspective view of a ti e wire embodying the planar edge support asdefined in this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, aspring cushion assembly comprisesa plurality of component helical coil coil springs and by the edge line34:

In practice, the coil spring assemblyis covered with a padding or tiiler0f '[abric or other material and it has been found desirable toprovide ameans for providing a supportfor the padding, fabric, or .fille'r, whichwill. be disposed directly above this cleavage. It is wellknown that theend or edge portions ofaspringcushion assembly, wh ther it be 'used in amattress, seat cushion, or. the

like. frequently receives a disportionate amount ofthe weight bornebythe complete.sprin-g'cushion assembly. While the manufacturers o' fmattressesand the like frequenti urgeftheir. customers to refrain'fromsitting on the edge of a mattressjit is nevertheless well known that Vsuclra practice is not easily discouraged and that it' is,

, quite usual for the edge of the mattress tosag and become lumpy anddeformed from such -misuse; This] is espec'ially t rueif aspring cushionassembly is formed without.

a heavy ,border ,or "edge of-heavy strapmate'rial. Such ,sagging occu''r s when' lthe fabrigc, padding, or cushioning Patented Oct. 28, 1 9583 material is allowed to slip down into the open area defined by thecleavage between the outside or exteriorly facing portions of the coilsprings of an outside row.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 5., it is within thecontemplation of this invention to extend the legs being substantiallyidentical with the distance between the end convolutions of the coilswhe'n'the' latter are in a relaxed position. The transversely extendlnglegs 40, 42, are formed with the spaced depressions 28,

transverse tie wire 26 outwardly beyond the overlap of the outside row12 and to then transversely bend the tie wire to define a plane 36 whichis substantially co-planar with the planes defined by the endconvolutions of the coils 10. it should be here stated that inasmuch asthe coils overlap at 20, 22, the planes defined by the end portions ofthe coil springs are not precisely coplanar but only substantiallyco-planar, but the difference between these planes is ordinarily nominalwhen the spring cushion assembly is in its relaxed position and may beconsidered, for purposes of description, as negligible.

While the end of the tie wire 26 may be transversely bent into any of awide variety of shapes to provide a planar edge support means, I have,ina preferred embodiment, bent the tie'wirc to form an isoscelestriangle having its base extending along a line substantially idention]with the edge line 34, and with the triangle so proportioned anddimensionedas to substantially till. the cleavage 35. As best shown inFigure 1, such a configuration provides an edge which is a substantiallystraight and continuous line 34. The tie wire may be provided with atriangular end before .it isjoined with the coil springs in the coilspring assembly; and such a preformed tie wire is shown in Figure 5.

While the use of the triangular or delta shaped planar :dge support onthe end of a tie wire extending transversely of the rows along the linesof overlap between the files will serve to prevent a displacement of thefabric, filler, or padding. when the edge of the spring cushion assemblyis subjected to a downwardly directed force. such as by the weight of abody disposed on a completed mattress, ;pring cushion. or the like, Ihave also found that there ire several additional advantages inproviding a supplencntal or ancillary spring means to aid in the supportof he edge portion and to resiliently resist relative movenent betweentwo opposite edges of the spring cushion assembly. That is to say. whilethe use of the delta or triangular ends of the tie wires does serve toprevent a displacement of the fabric filler, or padding, into thenterior of the material, it does not, in itself, form a means Forresisting relative movement 'of one edge support toward another andopposite edge support when. for example, someone sits on the edge of themattress.

It has long been considered desirable for a mattress )1 other springcushion assembly to have additional supaort or stabilizing structurealong its edge portions and 'his has been accomplished, for example, byusing heavier 111d stronger springs in the outside rows, that is, therows :xtending along the edge. It will be readily seen that the ise ofdifi'erent types. sizes. or weights of coil springs in he mattress orspring cushion assembly serve to compli- :ate the process of assembly byautomatic machinery and ience adds to the final cost-of the structure.It is, thereore. within the contemplation of this invention to proide aned e stabilizing means which can be used in coniection with a mattress.or other spring cushion assemily. made up of a series of identical coilsprings arranged it rows and files, as described herein above.

While it has been the previous practice to provide the :pring cushionassembly with a plurality of tie wires aranged in pairs. one above theother, on opposite planar ides of the spring cushion assembly, it iswithin theconemplation of this invention to provide a plurality of tievires which are formed as a unitary structure to transerselycircumscri-be the entire spring cushion assembly. 85 shown in Figure 4,the continuous tie wire will have a 'oughly rectangular shape and willbe made up of two egs 40, 42, extending transversely of the rows ofcoils 10 n parallel spaced relationship, the spacing between these asdescribed hereinabove, and are joined, one to the other. by the endportions, generally indicated at 44. Each end portion of the tie wire isformed as a reinforcing or stabilizing edge spring, as shown, having twolegs 46, 48, each of which makes a tangential junction with acylindrical coil spring 50.

While I here speak, for purposes of' exactness of description, of thetransversely extending legs 40, 42, of the spring legs 46, 48, and thecylindrical 'coil spring 50, as ditferent elements, it should be clearthat I envision a single continuous tie wire 26 embodying all theseelements as component portions thereof.

It is also within the contemplation of this invention that the ends ofthe longitudinally extending legs 40, 42, of he continuous tie wireshould be formed with the delta-shaped edge support 36. or other planedefining configuration, as described hereinabove, before being turnedinward to form the spring legs-46, 48, respectively.

Referring to Figures 1, 2. and 3, it will be seen that the continuoustie wire 26.extends transversely of the rows, along the lines of theoverlap of the files, with one leg extending along one planar surface 52of the spring cushion assembly and with the other longitudinal legextending along the opposite planar surface 54 of the spring cushionassembly. The transversely extending leg portions of the continuous tiewire extendoutwardly beyond a it should be evident that the particulardisposition of the 1 plane defined by legs 46, 48 of each spring 44 maybe varied from that shown, as desired. For example,.the legs 46, 48 maybe arranged so as to be substantially coplanar with the edge plane at34.

Referring more particularly to Figure 2, it will be readily seen thatthe-spring portion 44 of the continuous tie wire 26 will serve toresiliently resist any relative movement between two opposite lateraledges 34, 58, of the spring cushion assembly, and, as such, actsto=supplement for the outside row of coil springs.

In Figure l, the lower delta 36' is illustrated as projecting outwardlya slight distance beyond the upper delta 36. This is shown merely toillustrate theidentical configuration of the two deltas or triangles.they are disposed in exactly. corresponding positions.

It should be clearly stated that it is entirely within the contemplationof this invention to use the reinforcing or stabilizing edge spring 44to bolster or aid the exterior row of coil springs by providingadditional support for the edge of the spring cushion assembly-inapplications where, through the particular configuration of the struc toreserve to myself any variations or modifications thatmay. appear tothose skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:

I. A spring cushion assembly comprising a pluralityof upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the

coil springs being arranged with each of their end portions overlappingthe end portions of at least one other In practice,

between the files, means securing each of said tie wires with the endportions of the coil springs of each of a plurality of rows, each ofsaid tie wires extendingbeyond the overlap of an exterior row into theexterior cleavage defined by the end portions of the overlapping coilsprings, each of said tie wires terminating in a free end disposedwithin said cleavage, said tie wires at said free ends beingtransversely bent to form a planar edge sup port means disposed withinsaid cleavage.

2. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged witheach of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least oneother coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires extendingtransversely of the rows along the lines of overlap between the files,means securing each of said tie wires with the end portions of the coilsprings of each of a plurality of rows. each of said tie wires extendingbeyond the overlap of an exterior row into the. exterior cleavagedefined by the end portions of the overlapping coil springs, each ofsaid tie wires terminating in a free end disposed within said cleavage,each of said tie wires at said free ends being bent to define a planewhich is substantially co-planar with the planes defined by the ends ofthe coil springs, said bent portions of the tire wire forming a planaredge support means which substantially fills said cleavage.

3. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged witheach of their end portions disposed adjacent to and generally coplanarwith the end portions of the remaining springs in the assembly, aplurality of tie wires extending transversely of the rows betweenadjacent files of springs and generally coplanar with the end portionsthereof, each of said tie wires extending beyond an exterior row intothe exterior substantially triangular shaped cleavage defined by the endportions of the adjacent coil springs, each of said tie wires beingtransversely bent to define a triangle which is substantially co-planarwith the planes defined by the ends of the coil springs, said triangleforming an edge support means which substantially fills the triangularcleavage and forms a support for the edge portions of the fabric andpadding disposed upon the spring cushion assembly.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 in which the base of said triangledefines a portion of an exterior edge of the spring cushion assembly,whereby the edge of the spring cushion assembly is a substantiallystraight and continuous line.

5. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged witheach of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least oneother coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires extendingtransversely of the rows along the lines of over- 1 lap between thefiles, each of said tie wires transversely circumscribing said springcushion assembly and having a first leg extending along one planarsurface of the spring cushion assembly and having another leg extendingin parallel spaced relation to the first leg along another planarsurface of the spring cushion assembly, said legs extending beyond theoverlap of an exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the endportions of the overlapping coil springs, said legs being transverselybent to form a planar edge support disposed within said cleavage, andeach of said tie wires defining a reinforcing t y-ring at at least onetransverse end of the spring cushion assembly to resiliently resistrelative movement between two opposite edges of the spring cushionassembly.

c. The structure defined in claim 5 in which each of said legs of thetie wires extends substantially to at least one edge of the springcushion assembly and then extends obliquely inwardly towards theinterior of the spring cushion assembly, to form said reinforcingspring.

7. The structure defined in claim 5 and further including means formedintegral with'said tie wire to maintain said tie wire in a fixedposition relative to the end portions of the overlapping coil springs.

8. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged witheach of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least oneother coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires, each ofsaid tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly andhaving portions extending transversely of the rows along the lines ofoverlap between the files, said portions extending beyond the overlap ofan exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the end portionsof the overlapping coil springs, said legs being transversely bent toform a planar edge support disposed within said cleavage, each of saidtire wires having another portion joining said transversely extendingportions adjacent opposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly,said second mentioned portion defining spring means to resilientlyresist relative movement between the two opposite lateral edges of thespring cushion assembly.

9. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged witheach of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least oneother coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tiewires, each of saidtie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly and havingportions extending transversely of the rows along the lines of overlapbetween the files, said portions extending beyond the overlap of anexterior row, each of, said tie wires having an end structure unitarytherewith and joining said transversely extending portions adjacent theopposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly, said endstructure including converging portions extending obliquely from thetransversely extending portions to define a reinforcing spring toresiliently supplement the exterior row of coil springs in resistingrelative movement'between two opposite lateral edges of the springcushion assembly.

10. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged witheach of their end portions disposed adjacent to and generally coplanarwith the end portions of the remaining springs in the assembly, aplurality of tie wires,,each of said tie wires continuouslycircumscribing said cushion assembly and having portions extendingtransversely of the rows between adjacent files of springs and generallycoplanar with the end portions thereof, said portions extending beyondan exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the end portionsof the adjacent coil springs, said tie wires being transversely benttoform a planar'edge support means disposed within said cleavage, each ofsaid tie wires having another portion joining said transverselyextending portions adjacent opposite lateral edges of the spring cushionassembly, said second mentioned portion defining spring means toresiliently resist relative movement between the two opposite lateraledges of the spring cushion assembly.

11. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arrange-dwith each of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at leastone other coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires, each ofsaid tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly andhaving portions extending transversely of the rows along the lines ofoverlap between the files, each of said portions extending beyond theoverlap of an exterior row into the exterior substantially triangularshaped cleavage defined by the end portions ofthe overlapping coilsprings, each of said tie wires being transversely bent to define atriangle which is substantially co-planar with the planes defined by theends of the coil springs, said triangle forming an edge support meanswhich substantially fills the triangular cleavage and forms a supportfor the edge portions of the fabric and padding disposed upon the springcushion assembly, each of said tie wires having another portion joiningsaid transversely extending portions adjacent opposite lateral edges ofthe spring cushion assembly, said second mentioned portion definingspring means to resiliently resist relative movement between the twoopposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

12. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged witheach of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least oneother coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires, each ofsaid tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assembly andhaving portions extending transversely of the rows along the lines ofoverlap between the files, each of said portions extending beyond theoverlap of an exterior row into the exterior cleavage defined by the endportions of the overlapping coil springs, said tie wires beingtransversely bent to form a planar'edge support means disposed withinsaid cleavage, each of said tie wires having another portion joiningsaid transversely extending portions adjacent the opposite lateral edgesof the spring cushion assembly, said second mentioned portion extendingobliquely inwardly from the opposite edges of the spring cushionassembly to define a reinforcing spring to resiliently supplement theexterior row of coil springs in resisting relative movement between twooppositc lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

13. A spring cushion assembly comprising a plurality of upstanding coilsprings arranged in rows and files, the coil springs being arranged witheach of their end portions overlapping the end portions of at least oneother coil spring in the same row, a plurality of tie wires,

each of said tie wires continuously circumscribing said cushion assemblyand having portions extending transversely of the rows along the linesof overlap between the tiles, each of said portions extending beyond theoverlap of an exterior row into the exterior substantially triangularshaped cleavage defined by the end portions of the overlapping coilsprings, each of said tie wires being transversely bent to define atriangle which is substantially co-planar with the planes defined by theends of the coil springs, said triangle forming an edge support meanswhich substantially fills the triangular cleavage and forms a supportfor the edge portions of the fabric and padding disposed upon the springcushion assembly, each of said tie wires having another portion joiningsaid transversely extending portions adjacent the opposite lateral edgesof the spring cushion assembly, said second mentioned portion extendingobliquely inwardly from the opposite edges of the spring cushionassembly to define a reinforcing spring to resiliently supplement theexterior row of coil springs in resisting relative movement between twoopposite lateral edges of the spring cushion assembly.

14. The structure defined in claim 13 in which the base of said triangledefines a portion of an exterior edge of the spring cushion assembly,whereby the edge of the spring cushion assembly is a substantiallystraight and continuous line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,029,076 Leeman Jan. 28, 1936 2,630,586 Rhymland Mar. 10, 19532,709,819 Wise June 7, 1955

